Pine Islet Light facts for kids
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| The original Pine Islet lighthouse, now at Mackay Marina | |
 Pine Islet Light (original)
Location in Queensland
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| Location | Mackay Queensland Australia |
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| Coordinates | 21°06′37.8″S 149°13′29.7″E / 21.110500°S 149.224917°E |
| Year first constructed | 1885 |
| Deactivated | 1985 |
| Construction | timber frame clad with galvanized iron |
| Tower shape | conical tower with double balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, red lantern dome |
| Height | 35 feet (11 m) |
| Range | 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| ARLHS number | AUS-127 |
The Pine Islet Light, also called the Percy Isles Light, is an active lighthouse. It stands on Pine Islet, a small island in the Northumberland Islands group. This island is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Mackay, Queensland, Australia.
The first lighthouse was built here in 1885. It worked for 100 years, until 1985. At that time, it was the last lighthouse in Australia still using kerosene for its light. In 1985, this old lighthouse was moved to the Mackay Marina. It was fixed up to work perfectly again. This made it the last fully working kerosene lighthouse in the world! Today, a new fiberglass tower stands at the original spot on Pine Islet.
The idea for this lighthouse first came up in 1881. Companies were asked to bid for the building job in 1883. W. P. Clark built the lighthouse in 1885. It was a common type of Queensland lighthouse. It had a strong wooden frame covered with galvanized iron plates.
The light source and its equipment were improved in 1923 and 1934. The homes for the lighthouse keepers were replaced in 1927. The station got electricity in 1950. But the light itself kept using kerosene until it was taken out of service in 1985. The old lighthouse was rebuilt at Mackay from 1989 to 1995. You can visit this lighthouse today and even take tours.
The lighthouse now on Pine Islet is a 20-foot (6.1 m) tall fiberglass tower. It does not have a lamp but helps ships see the island during the day. Its light comes from a solar-powered VRB-25 lamp. This island site is not open to the public.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Early Plans and Construction
The idea for a lighthouse at Pine Islet was first suggested in 1881. This was in a report by Commander George Poynter Heath. He was the first Portmaster of Queensland. He suggested it again in 1882.
In June 1883, companies were asked to bid on building the lighthouse. They also needed to build homes for the lighthouse keepers. This was for both Pine Islet Light and Double Island Point Light. W. P. Clark won the contract for both projects. The cost was £6900. Clark had built other lighthouses in Queensland before. These included Bustard Head Light (1868), Low Isles Light (1877), and Cape Cleveland Light and Dent Island Light (1878).
The lighthouse was finished and lit up on July 18, 1885. The building was made in parts somewhere else. Then, it was put together on the island. It had a strong wooden frame inside. This frame was covered with metal plates from Britain. These plates were joined with special fasteners called rivets. The lighthouse first had a wooden floor on its balcony.
Light Source and Upgrades
The first light used a special lens that turned around. It had a focal length of 70 millimeters (2.8 in). It also had four fixed panels and four flash panels. The light came from an oil lamp that burned whale or vegetable oil. A red shade was used to warn ships about Normanby Rock. This rock was about 1.6 kilometers (1.0 mi) southwest. In 1909, the light could be seen from 20 nmi away.
In 1923, the light was changed. It started using a Chance Brothers 55-millimeter (2.2 in) incandescent gas mantle. This light was powered by vaporized kerosene. In 1927, the old homes for the keepers were taken down. Three new homes were built. They had wooden frames and were covered with fibro sheets. In the same year, the tower's wooden floor was replaced with concrete.
In 1934, the light was improved again. The old equipment was replaced with a clockwork system from North Reef Light. This system had to be wound up every two hours. The light could then be seen from 21 nmi away. In 1950, electricity (110 V) was brought to the island. The keepers' homes got electricity, but the lighthouse light did not. A 240 V system was put in place in 1965. Still, the light was not changed to electricity.
On August 27, 1985, the lighthouse was taken out of service. A new fiberglass tower replaced it. At that time, it was the last lighthouse in Australia still powered by kerosene.
Moving the Lighthouse
The old tower was taken apart by the Department of Transport and Communications. This happened from October 2 to November 12, 1986. In 1989, after many people asked for it, the lighthouse and its equipment were loaned. They went to the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society. Volunteers mostly helped to rebuild it at Mackay.
The rebuilding started on August 18, 1989. The lighthouse was fully working again in late 1995. This made it the last working kerosene light in the world. In 2004, the Mackay Port Authority repainted it.
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Pine Islet Light (current)
Location in Queensland
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| Location | Percy Isles Queensland Australia |
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| Coordinates | 21°39′25.6″S 150°13′02.8″E / 21.657111°S 150.217444°E |
| Year first constructed | 1985 |
| Construction | fiberglass tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower |
| Markings / pattern | white tower |
| Height | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Focal height | 220 feet (67 m) |
| Current lens | VRB-25 |
| Intensity | 63,155 cd |
| Range | 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
| Admiralty number | K3020 |
| NGA number | 111-10304 |
| ARLHS number | AUS-305 |
The Current Lighthouse
The lighthouse on Pine Islet today is a 20-foot (6.1 m) tall fiberglass tower. It does not have a traditional lantern. It also works as a daymark, helping ships see it during the day.
The light flashes white every ten seconds (Fl.W. 10s). It can be seen from 318° to 218° and up to 18 nmi away. The equipment is a solar-powered VRB-25 that turns at 1 rpm. The light source is a 12-Volt, 35-Watt Halogen lamp. It shines with an intensity of 63,155 cd.
One of the original keeper's cottages is still on the island. It is painted white with a green roof.
Visiting the Lighthouses
The original Pine Islet lighthouse is now at the Mackay Marina. It is on the waterfront of Mackay Harbor. The Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society manages this site. Tours of the lighthouse are not available right now. They will start again once the Preservation Society is reorganized.
The current lighthouse on Pine Islet is run by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. You can only get to the island by boat. Both the island site and the tower are closed to the public.
